Om Unit ­- Torchlight Vol. 1

Om Unit ­- Torchlight Vol. 1
Though happy to indulge us with nostalgic DJ sets, Om Unit has always fixed his gaze ahead while in the studio. Even on last year's Inversion EP for Metalheadz—a project based around vintage Goldie samples—the outcome was fresh without betraying the label's heritage. Meanwhile, his own imprint, Cosmic Bridge Records, has been steadily plugging the gap between hip-hop and drum & bass, issuing cuts from the likes of Kromestar, Moresounds and Danny Scrilla. Jim Coles himself had yet to step up for a solo record until now.

Torchlight Vol. 1 begins with the big, bassy roller "Wagonist Riddim," laced with enough drum & bass nodes to keep the heads bobbing along in happy halftime. Then there's the fidgety "Spiritwerk," which brings together tribal connotations and twitching tech touches. Digital steps in on the heavyweight "Midnight Oil" to help send up the 'ardcore of yore, leaving things to unravel on a lush and atmospherical tip on "The Lake." Digital bonus "Demons Out" is the perfect example of the skulking mischief Coles is capable of when he steps out further from his zone.